A few Xantia HDI questions.

[CitroJim]

Test the battery clamps with the engine running and every conceivable electrical accessory and lights all switched on so the current demand is at its very highest. Then feel the clamps after a couple of minutes...

Ms. TM will speak if the ignition is turned on and off rapidly and the volts going low in trying to start will have the same effect. Also, the crazy tacho is a normal symptom of very low volts and in some cases it can cause the tacho needle to wrap itself round the end-stop and stick there. It's not fatal though...

Check too the earth connection to the gearbox...

[Stepto1]

I checked the lead and it stayed cool the whole time. I'm guessing a lazy starter. Going to take it off this Sunday, strip and clean it and try it out. See what happens.

At least the alternator and battery are good!

Now why aren't the cooling fans working when the A/C is on?

[CitroJim]

Fans will be one of two things; either one or other of the fan motors are open-circuit (they run in series for low speed) or one or more of the trio of relays between the fans in the triangular box between the fans has burned contacts or is faulty. That normally covers about 99% of fan faults...

Search around here for a circuit of the fans showing the current paths on slow and fast. Clogzz may well point you to it as he's our fan specialist...

[Stepto1]

Ok. I'll have a look tomorrow. Gosh these engines are complicated, missing my old utterly reliable and simple 16V! (Wouldn't go back to a petrol now if you paid me!)

[Stepto1]

Right, with a bit of use over the last few days, she 'seems' to be behaving herself.

Wondering if she's been stood and just needed some use?

Had a half hour session of 'Citrobics' and she's raising and lowering quick and smooth now.

Touched up the stone chips on the bonnet, (Anyone got a mint S2 one?)

Had a rummage for the relays between the fans and I can feel one of them is just rattling around, will take off the front panel and have a pepper look. She got up to 80° while ticking over but the fans never kicked in.

[Clogzz]

Thanks, Jim !

The top right relay must click when the aircon is switched on.
You can use the top left relay in its place to check, as it’s only used for the high speed of one fan.

[Stepto1]

Judging by the state of them, I may need a few new relays!

[Clogzz]

Only the bottom relay needs to have 5 pins.
The top ones can have only 4 pins.
They should be rated at over 20 Amps, even though the originals say 20A.

[Stepto1]

So the top two can be 'standard' four or five pin relays?

[CitroJim]

So the top two can be 'standard' four or five pin relays?

Yes, as far as I know, the socket should accept them even though the fifth pin is unused. Relay bases are pretty standard and loaded with only the pins they need...

[Stepto1]

Great. Got some relays in the garage. I'll get them in and see what happens. Ta for that.

[Stepto1]

Right, fitted three new relays and the fans still don't work when the a/c is on (and at anytime). Checked the 30A fuse and it's ok. Any ideas?

Used up my first tank full of fuel now and she'd done an average of 41mpg. That's based on GPS speed of 85mph on the motorway and mixed town and country driving. She's pulling much better now she's had a good run.

Steve.

[addo]

Do the fans work when hotwired?

[CitroJim]

Used up my first tank full of fuel now and she'd done an average of 41mpg.

That's rubbish Steve or have you been attending the Xac School of motoring? You really must have lead in them there boots of yours...

Even my tired old thing can still return well over 50mpg on a good run...

Fans, yes as Addo says, you need to hot-wire them for a test. One or both must be duff...

[Stepto1]

Ok, I'll put 12v across them.

I've worked my MPG based on real speed and distance, rather then the inaccurate speedo/odometer.

If I go by these I'm getting nearer 47mpg. The speedo over reads by 10% and the odometer by the same.

I always doubt the claimed MPG figures claimed by makers.

I think anything over 40mpg 'real world' figures isn't too shabby.

And I do have a bit of a lead foot! However, I always managed 30-35mpg out of my 1.8 16V, with the difference in price of fuel, the oil burner doesn't work out much cheaper.

However, loads more guts, better brakes, better gearbox, nicer clutch, lights that work, a/c, c/c that works......